1.

Greetings

 Example: 1

A: How are you?

B: Fine, thanks. How are you? or

 Example 2

A: How are you?

B: Fine, thanks, and you?

A: Fine. (Thanks.)

2. Preclosings and Closings

 Dialogue Example 1

Mike : Say, Grace, how you doing?*

Grace : Mike! Hey, how are you?

Mike : Not bad. Where you going?*

Grace : Over to Jerry’s. How about you?

Mike : Oh, I just got off work. Boy, I’m so hungry I could eat a horse!

Grace : Where are you working now?

Mike : J & L Steel. It’s a real pain. But I guess I shouldn’t complain. Lots of
guys are out of work these days.

Grace : Yeah, that’s the truth. Well, I better let you go get some supper.*

Mike : Yeah, it was great seeing you again. Maybe we could get together
sometime.

Grace : Sounds good.* I’ll give you a call.

Mike : OK. Great. Well, I’ll be seeing you.

Grace : OK, Mike. Enjoy, your meal.

Mike : Thanks. Bye. Grace : Bye.

 Dialogue Example 2 Dean Schubert : Hello. This is Virginia Schubert.

Fred Marshall : Hello, Dean Schubert. My name is Fred Marshall. I’m a reporter
from the Times.

Dean Schubert : Yes?

Fred Marshall : I heard about a strange animal at your house. Could I come and
talk to you about it?

Dean Schubert : Yes, it certainly would make an amusing story! Can you come
you come this afternoon at three o’clock?

Fred Marshall : Yes, that would be fine. Thank you very much. I’ll see you
then.

Dean Schubert : You’re welcome. Good-bye.

 Dialogue Example 3

: Oh, my gosh, that’s Susie Johnson!

Mike : What? Jack : Over by the bananas. Come on, let’s go say hello. (They go
over to Susie.) Hey, Susie!

Susie : What? … Jack?!

Jack : Hey, how are you? Gee, we haven’t seen each other in … it must be close
to three years!

Susie : Well, how have you been?

Jack : OK. Susie : Still working at Lamstons?

Jack : Let’s not go into that. Oh, Susie, this is Mike, one of my buddies at work.

Susie : Hi, Mike. Mike : Hi, how are you?

Jack : Gee, we ought to go somewhere to talk. How about Peter’s Pub?

 Susie : Sounds good. Just give me a minute to pick up a few things for dinner
tonight.

Jack : OK. See you at the check-out stand.

3. Closing

 Dialogue Example 1

Mike : Say, Grace, how you doing?*

Grace : Mike! Hey, how are you?

Mike : Not bad. Where you going?*

Grace : Over to Jerry’s. How about you?

Mike : Oh, I just got off work. Boy, I’m so hungry I could eat a horse!

Grace : Where are you working now?

Mike : J & L Steel. It’s a real pain. But I guess I shouldn’t complain. Lots of
guys are out of work these days.

Grace : Yeah, that’s the truth. Well, I better let you go get some supper.*

Mike : Yeah, it was great seeing you again. Maybe we could get together
sometime.

Grace : Sounds good.* I’ll give you a call.

Mike : OK. Great. Well, I’ll be seeing you.

Grace : OK, Mike. Enjoy, your meal.

Mike : Thanks. Bye. Grace : Bye.

 Dialogue Example 2 Dean Schubert : Hello. This is Virginia Schubert.

Fred Marshall : Hello, Dean Schubert. My name is Fred Marshall. I’m a reporter
from the Times.

Dean Schubert : Yes?

Fred Marshall : I heard about a strange animal at your house. Could I come and
talk to you about it?

Dean Schubert : Yes, it certainly would make an amusing story! Can you come
you come this afternoon at three o’clock?

Fred Marshall : Yes, that would be fine. Thank you very much. I’ll see you
then.

Dean Schubert : You’re welcome. Good-bye.

 Dialogue Example 3

: Oh, my gosh, that’s Susie Johnson!

Mike : What? Jack : Over by the bananas. Come on, let’s go say hello. (They go
over to Susie.) Hey, Susie!

Susie : What? … Jack?!

Jack : Hey, how are you? Gee, we haven’t seen each other in … it must be close
to three years!

Susie : Well, how have you been?

Jack : OK. Susie : Still working at Lamstons?

Jack : Let’s not go into that. Oh, Susie, this is Mike, one of my buddies at work.

Susie : Hi, Mike. Mike : Hi, how are you?

Jack : Gee, we ought to go somewhere to talk. How about Peter’s Pub?

Susie : Sounds good. Just give me a minute to pick up a few things for dinner
tonight.

Jack : OK. See you at the check-out stand.

4. Introduction
5.
 Dialogue Example 1

(The doorbell rings. Mrs. Carr opens the door.)

Mrs. Carr : Good evening, George. Come in. How have you been?

George : Just fine, thank you. How are you?

Mrs. Carr : Oh, reasonably well.

George : Mrs. Carr, I would like to introduce a friend of mine, if I may: Albert
Douglas. Albert, this is Mrs. Elaine Carr.

Albert : Pleased to meet you, Mrs. Carr. M

rs. Carr : I’ve heard so much about you, Mr. Douglas. Please do come in. oh,
Richie? Darling, I’d like you to meet someone – a friend of George’s.

Mr. Carr : Oh, hello, George. Glad you could make it. (He shakes hands with
George.)

George : Hello, Rich. It was very thoughtful of you to invite us.

Mrs. Carr : Yes, darling, as I was saying, this is Albert Douglas. (to Albert) My
husband, Richard.

Albert : (shaking hands with Mr. Carr) Very nice to meet you, Mr. Carr. Mr.
Carr : The pleasure’s mine. But call me Rich. Everyone does. Mind if I call you
Albert?

Albert : Of course not. But just plain “Al” will do.

 Dialogue Example 2

Mark : This seat taken?

Edward: No, help yourself. Haven’t seen you before. You new in engineering?

Mark : Yeah, I just switched majors from computer science – too much math!

Edward: Well, don’t expect it to be any better here! What’s your name, anyway?

Mark : Mark. What’s yours?

Edward: Edward, but everybody calls me “Chip”.

Mark : Chip, huh? Well, I’m not going to tell you my nickname is! Oh, here
comes the professor. What’s his name, anyway? Scarey, or something like that?
Edward: James Kerry. But we call him “Big Jim” because he’s so short.

Mark : To his face? Edward: No. Are you kidding?

6. Invitation

 Dialogue Example 1 (Someone is knocking at the door.)

Gretchen : Good morning, Dr. Hampton. May I come in?

Dr. Hampton : Good morning, Gretchen. Of course. How can I be of help?

Gretchen : Well, it’s not about school, Dr. Hampton. It’s just that Alan and I
wanted to have a few people over for a dinner party to celebrate finishing my
dissertation, and we’d like to invite you especially, since you’re chairman.
Would you be able to come the weekend after next, on Saturday?

Dr. Hampton : I’d be delighted to, Gretchen. Saturday, did you say?

Gretchen : If that’s all right for you and Mrs. Hampton.

Dr. Hampton : I’ll have to check with Elizabeth, but I’m pretty sure it’ll be all
right.

Gretchen : Good. If you could come around six-thirty or seven o’clock, that
would give us time to chat a while over a glass of wine before dinner.

Dr. Hampton : That sounds fine. We’ll be there around seven.

Gretchen : That would be great! Oh, I’m so pleased that you and Mrs. Hampton
will be able to make it!

Dr. Hampton : Well, it should be fun. And you deserve it after all that hard
work. But, say, Gretchen, will I have to start calling you Doctor Schmeltzer
now?

Gretchen : Of course not, Dr. Hampton!

Dr. Hampton : Well, then can’t you reciprocate by calling me Henry?

Gretchen : Of course, Dr . . . I mean Henry – but it’ll take some getting used to.

 Dialogue Example 2 (The telephone rings.)

Tom : Hello.
Don : Hello, Tom? This is Don. How are you?

Tom : Oh, hi, Don. Good. How have you been?

Don : Fine. Listen, Jerry and I wanted to go bowling tomorrow night out at the
bowling alley on seventy-nine, but we don’t have a way to get there. If you
drive, we’ll pick up the tab for the bowling. How about it?

Tom : Well, it sounds like fun, but actually I’ve really got a lot of homework to
do just now.

Don : Oh, come on, Tom. It’ll be fun. Make you relax. You’ll study better!

Tom : I really can’t. I’ve got a chemistry exam on Monday and a book report
due on Tuesday in American Lit. that I’m really getting nervous about. I don’t
think I’d enjoy it much. But thanks a lot for thinking of me. Sorry I can’t help
you out.

Don : Oh, don’t worry about it. Maybe next time. Good luck on your exam.

Tom : Thanks. See you.

Don : Bye.

 Dialogue Example 3 (The telephone rings.)

David : Hello?

Cathy : Oh, Hello, David. How are you?

David : Just fine, thanks, Cathy.

Cathy : Say, Dick and I were wondering, are you and Shirley free this Friday?

David : Friday? Oh . . . it seems Shirley mentioned something about having to

work late on Friday. Why, what did you have in mind?

Cathy : Oh, we just thought it would be nice to have you over for dinner, but if
you’re not available . . .

David : Well, let me check again with Shirley. I’ll call you tonight and let you
know for sure, OK?

David : OK. Till then.

7. Thanking
 Example 1

Janice : Oh, thank you! I just love roses! Are they from your garden?

Jack : It’s beautiful! Thank you very much. I’ve always wanted a picture from
Japan. Did you get in Osaka?

 Example 2

Nick : Do you need help moving this weekend?

Joe : Thanks, I’ve already got four other guys! But thanks for offering.

 Example 3

David : You’re a good driver.

Liz : Thanks. I had a good teacher.

8. Apologizes

Example 1

A: I’m sorry I was late to class, Dr. Paulston, but I overslept.

B: Well, it’s OK this time, but you know it’s disturbing the rest of the class.

A: Yes, I know. You’re right. I won’t let it happen again.

Example 2

Russel : Hello?

Sandy : Hi, Russ? It’s me. Look, we’re having a bit trouble with the car, so it
looks like we won’t be able to make it tonight. I’m really sorry.

Russel : Oh really? What is it?

Sandy : Well, it’s the carburetor again. We just had it fixed last week, but it must
be clogged up again somehow.

Russel : Well, I’m sorry to hear that. Want me to come get you?

Sandy : Well, actually, we’re stuck on the freeway and I had to walk a mile to
this gas station to get help.

Russel : In this terrible weather?

Sandy : Yeah, I’m pretty wet, I can tell you that!

Russel : Look, why don’t I come pick you guys up in my car, once they tow the
car to the station. Where are you at?

Sandy : You know that Arco station at the entrance to the freeway?

Russel : Oh, yeah, I know where that is. I’ll be right down. We still might be
able to catch the late show.

Sandy : OK, great. Sorry about the inconvenience.

Russel : Don’t worry about it. See you in a little bit.

Sandy : Thanks. See you.

Example 3

Paul : Aw, Jeffrey! What did you have to go and do that for?

Jeffrey : Do what?

Paul : You know what I’m talking about. Why did you go tell Mrs. Wallace how
much money I’m going to make? Now she’ll go and tell the whole world!

Jeffrey : Well, I’m sorry.

Paul : Yeah, but you know how she talks to everybody and their brother!

Jeffrey : Well, I apologize. I guess I wasn’t thinking. I got all excited.

Paul : Oh well, it’s done now. I guess it doesn’t matter that much, anyway. They
were bound to find out eventually. Everybody in this town’s got a big nose!

Jeffrey : You know, it is a lot of money for a first job ...

Paul : You think I’ll be able to buy a Porsche?

Jeffrey : Well, I think you’d better wait and see how much is left after Uncle
Sam gets his share!

9. EXPRESSING ANGER AND RESOLVING CONFLICT

 Dialogue Example
Mr. Sorensen : Richard, what’s that under your paper?

Richard : What’s what?

Mr. Sorensen : Lift up your arm. What’s this?

Richard : Oh, that. Uh, that’s a grocery list. I’ve got to pick up some things on
my way home.

Mr. Sorensen : Do your really expect me to believe that?

Richard : Well, that’s what it is.

Mr. Sorensen : (reading) Soren Kierkegaard, Denmark, 1800s, Hegel, Germany,

Sartre, Paris, 1900s... An interesting “grocery” list, Mister Jackson!

Richard : Oh, gee, let me see that. Oh, my gosh, they must be my notes. How
did they get here?

Mr. Sorensen : I’d like to see you in my office, please. (They leave the
classroom and go to the office down the hall.) Now, Richard, would you care to
explain how the answers to the test questions appeared on your desk?

Richard : I can’t, sir. Someone must have left them on my desk.

Mr. Sorensen : Someone left them on your desk! Someone with hand-writing
identical to yours left them on your desk? I’m afraid I can’t accept that answer.

Richard : Are you accusing me of cheating?

Mr. Sorensen : Yes, I am.

Richard : You can’t do that without proof! I’m going to call my counselor!

Mr. Sorensen : By all means, do that. In the meantime, however, don’t come to
class again. I am extremely disappointed in your behavior.

Richard : (grumbling to himself as he leaves) What a pigheaded, narrow-minded

jerk!

 Dialogue Example 2

Melanie : Hi, Carole!

Carole : Hi, Melanie! This should be a great show. Let’s go in.

Melanie : Sure. Say, did you bring my book?

Carole : Your book? Oh, nuts! I completely forgot.

Melanie : You forgot!? But you promised! I need it to study for the test. Oh, I
knew I never should have loaned it to you.

Carole : Calmd down, Melanie. I just forgot. Look, after the show we can drive
by the house and pick it up.

Melanie : It’s pretty far out of the way, but I guess we’ll have to.

Carole : Don’t worry. I’ll treat you to a pizza to make it up to you.

Melanie : Well, OK.

 Dialogue Example 3

Mr. Walters : Hey, can you get your dog to shut up? Some people are trying to
sleep around here!

Mrs. Hudson : Now, wait a minute! Prince is just barking because your ca is
screaming all over the place!

Mr. Walters : But do you know what time it is? It’s one a.m., and I’ve got to get
up at six to go to work. If I don’t get some sleep soon, there’s going to be one
less dog in the world.

Mrs. Hudson : Are you threatening my dog?

Mr. Walters : I am merely telling the truth. Barking at night has been proven to
be one of the leading causes of death in dogs.

Mrs. Hudson : You’re nuts!

Mr. Walters : That’s possible. But please, can’t you get that mutt to close his
trap for a few minutes? Or do you want me to call the cops?

Mrs. Hudson : You ought to shut your own trap. You’re the one making the most
noise now!

Mr. Walters : That does it! Bernice! Get he arsenic!

Mrs. Hudson : (to the dog) Come here, Prince. Nice boy. I’m going to take you
inside. I don’t trust that crazy old man next door. (to Mr. Walters) I’M TAKING
HIM IN, SO YOU DON’T HAVE TO CALL THE COPS! AND I HOPE YOU
SLEEP TILL NEXT YEAR!

GIVING COMPLIMENTS

 Dialogue Example 1

Cal : Hey, man, how you doing?

RC : Not too bad. How about you? What’s this machine you’re leaning on?
Somebody pay you to look after his wheels?

Cal : No. It’s mine. Mine and the bank’s.

RC : (whistles) She’s a beauty! How she drive?

Cal : Like a dream. Even on the potholes around here.

RC : That’s great, man. Maybe you’ll let me borrow her sometime.

Cal : Glad you like it, but my own mother doesn’t get to use it. Anybody dents
it, it’s going to be me.

RC : Yeah, I can understand that. I’d do the same if I had a machine like this.
Well, see you around.

Cal : So long.

Dialogue Example 2

(The doorbell rings.)

George Burns : Hi! Come in!

Jack Palmer : Hi, George. Thank you.

Mary Palmer : Hello, George. How are you?

George Burns : Just fine, thanks, Mary. And you?

Mary Palmer : Fine.

Donna Burns : (coming to gree them) Sorry, last-minute things in the oven.

Jack : These are for you.

Donna : Oh, thank you! They’re beautiful!

Mary : What a lovely home you have!

Donna : Why, thank you. I’m so glad you could come. Let’s sit here so we can
see the garden as the sun goes down.

Mary : Your garden is beautiful, Donna.

Donna : Thank you.

Mary : What are those tall flowers in the back?

Donna : Those are salvias. Would you like some?

Mary : Thanks so much, but i don’t have a spot of sun to grow them in.

Donna : That’s right. George mentioned that you and Jack are specialists in
shade flowers. Aren’t you two illustrating a book? That must be very
interesting.

Mary : It’s nice of you to remember. Yes, we’re doing a book for the Wildlife
Federation.

Donna : Well, I’ve got this one shady corner that I have trouble with. Maybe
you can give me some advice.

Mary : I’ll try.

Donna : We’ll just have time for a look before dinner. Back in a minute, dear.

George : OK. Jack and I will admire the view from here.

10. Replying to compliments

 Example 1

Al : That’s a beautiful dress you have on!

Gay : Oh, thank you. I just got it yesterday.

 Example 2
 When returning the compliment, it might go like this:

Alice : I just love your hair that way! Did you do it yourself?

Juanita : Oh, thanks. Yes, I did. Isn’t yours a new cut, too?

Alice : Yes, it is. Thanks.

 Example 3

In certain cases, you may accept the compliment but deny what the person has
said to compliment you. Some people do this to appear modest:

1. Friend : That was a great dinner. You must have spent all day cooking.

You : Thanks. But it really only took an hour.

2. Friend : Wow, this is really a nice place!

You : Aw, thanks, but it’s really nothing great.

11.GETTING PEOPLE’S ATTENTION

 Dialogue Example 1

(Freddy stops at Dr. Lindseth’s open office door and knocks.)

Freddy : Dr. Lindseth?

Dr. Lindseth : Yes?

Freddy : Excuse me, I don’t want to interrupt you ...

Dr. Lindseth : No, no. It’s quite all right. How can I help you?

Freddy : Well, I’d just like to ask you to sign a permission slip to take that
course on microbiology you’re teaching next term. Would that be all right? (He
gives Dr. Lindseth the slip.)

Dr. Lindseth : Of course, Freddy. Actually, I’m glad you decided to take it. I
think you’ll like it, and I’m glad to have you in the class.

Freddy : Thank you. It sound like an interesting course.

 Dialogue Example 2
Jean : ... and then she told me that he didn’t even say he was sorry!

Sue : No kidding.

Max : Excuse me, but could I ask you a quick question?

Sue : Sure. What is it?

Max : Do you spell “address” with one “d” or two?

Sue : Two.

Max : Thanks a lot.

Sue : Sure. (to Jean) Then what did she say?

 Dialogue Example 3

(The telephone rings.)

JoEllen : Linguistics.

Ralph : Yes, I’d like to speak with Dr. MacDougal, please.

JoEllen : Who’s calling, please?

Ralph : Ralph Zimmermann.

JoEllen : One moment, please. (buzz)

Dr. MacDougal: Yes?

JoEllen : Excuse me, there’s a Ralph Zimmermann on the line. Do you want to
talk to him?

Dr. MacDougal: No, have him call back later. I’ll be in a meeting now until
twelve o’clock. Would you please hold my calls?

12.INTERUPTING

 Example 1

Jackie : (on the phone) He walks up to me and ... Just a minute. (to Ted in the
office) Can I help you?
Ted : Excuse me, Jackie, but can I ask a question?

Jackie : Sure.

Ted : Has Dr. Betts sent that letter out, do you know?

Jackie : I think so. She sent a bunch of letters out this morning.

Ted : OK. Thanks.

Jackie : (on the phone) Now, as I was saying, this guy walks up to me last night
and says ...

 Example 2

Mr. Andrews : (talking to a salesperson) ... which means that the ration will be
all wrong. Excuse me. Yes?

Mr. Davidson : (standing in the doorway) Excuse me for interrupting, but could
we make an appointment for later this afternoon sometime? I want to fo over
that engineering report with you.

 Example 3

Joe : Hello?

Ned : Hi, this is Ned. Are you busy?

Joe : We’re eating now. Can I call back in half an hour?

Ned : OK. See you. Joe : Yeach, bye.